Yieldable barrier



'. E.` 9. sAwYER AYIELDMBLE laARRIEJRv Filed May 16, 1925 Jan. 3, 1928.

4 Sheets-Sheet Vl @www E. D. sAwYER YIELDALE BARRIER 4 Filed' may 16,"1925 sheetssheet 2 Jan. 3, 1928. y E. D. SAWYER YIELDABLE BARRIER v Fileduay 1e, '1925 27/ 5l l 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 economical in manufacture.

Patented Jan. 3, 1928.

-E'miason n. sawvna, orcnrcaeo, ILLINoIs.

nppnation inea Maf; 16,

My invention relatesto lcertain novel improvements in yieldable barriers' and has for its principal object the Aprovision of an improved construction of this character which will behighly etlicient in use and The present invention constitutes an improvement over the construction disclosed in my prior application filed in the United States Patent Olice on or about. December 27, 1921', bearing Serial No. 525,236... for yieldable barriers. y

'lhe present invention relates especially to the spacer box ivith'in which is arranged '.mechanlsm tor controlling the paying outv cf the reserve cables operatively connected to the barrier. The. construction of the mechanism is ot'` such nature that the parts constituting the same are built to withstand that which `is expected of devices of this character such as sudden jerks and impacts' and the construction and arrangement of parts are ot such nature that they will workl 'with Aunitary accuracy during the operation of thebarrier when struck by a vehicle.

Heretotore in constructions of similar Acharacter during the paying out of the reserve cables, mechanism such as counter' weights were employed to oppose the paying out of the cables, these counter Weights being adapted to movebetween limbs of a U-shaped or fork' shaped member, the limbs of which opposing such movement of the counter weights and thereby bringing the paying out of the reserve cables under control. This construction has not proven to be satisfactory and it is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide mechanism to oppose the paying out of the reserve cables and which will permit automatic recoil of the same after the object striking' the barrier has been removed.

y ther objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrange/ments of parts hereinafter described and'claimed.- f

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawin s i'mming a part of this specification, and 1n which, l Fig. 1 is -a face view of the carriage or spacer-box embodied' inthe invention; y

in the United States Patent YIELDABLE BARBIER.

192s. serial Np. ceases.

l Fig. -2 is a sectional view of the same taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an ed e view of certain spring members embodie in the invention;"`

Fig. 6 s a side view of the spring member illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 isa sectional view taken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

'Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8' of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the yieldable barrier embodying the invention, 2 Referring particularly toy Figi 9, 15 indcates a hollow column or standard divided into'compartments 15" and`16 by a vertical partition. 17', 16 indicates a barrier, 17 indicates a side walk arm and 18 indicates the foundation of the column 15. The face 19 of the column is open longitudinally as at 20 for reasons to be more fully understood vfrom the description to follow. l f

In 4practical use there are employed two such columns 19 one on each side of the road way along which the vehicle to be stopped passes and the barrier 16 when lowered into the position illustrated in Fig. 9 extends across the road way. l l

Arranged to move longitudinally within each of the columns within the compartment 15 of each, is a spacer box or carriage A having means of attachment to ithe ends of a sprocket chain 21 asindicated at 21', said 4means at lone end of the spacer box includes a turn buckle (d) fixed to thebox yat that end by a bolt. (b) passing through lugs (c) and .of i the spacer box.v The sprocket cham passes over .sprocket gears 22 arranged atthe upper l and lower end of the column and operative by suitable motive power (not shown). The mechanism formoving the spacer box is embodied in a companion ap lication led Too 007011 even" date and for the construction and arrangement of such driving mechanism reference is to be had to said application.

The opposite ends of the .barrier 16 are operatively connected to rcserve'ca'bles 23 and-24 which pass into the adjacent spacer box through openings 25 formed in leaders is preferr 26 and coiled around drums 27 and 28 respectively, said cables being fixed tofthe drums by suitable means such for example as indicated at 22. As best shown in Fig. 7 the reserve cables are formed flat, this being accomplished by binding the single cables together in a suitable manner, and the advantage rests in the fact that the strength of the cables is increased andv thesame "will recoil on the cable drums more evenly andv smoothly. It willbe noted that the strands of cable (k) are wound opposite the strands of cable (g as indicated. The arrangement they will transmit resistance against each other due to the tendency to yunwind against. each other.

As the spacer boxes are of similar structure I will det-ail the construction of one and it is to be understood that the construction of one applies to the construction of the other. In this connection the cable drums 27 and 28 are keyed to shafts 29 and 29 mounted in suitable bearings 30 and operatively connected by gears 31.

In the compartments 16 a counter weight 32 is arranged to move longitudinally and is supported by a cable 33 which passes over a sheave wheel (not shown) at the upper end of the column and leads downward y through an opening 34 formed in the top of the spacer box and coiled around a drum 27 forming an integral part of the cable drum 27.'

Adjacent the drum 27 is la disc 35 keyed y to the shaft 29. and provided with spiral grooves in its outer face as at 36. An arm 37 is arranged within the box and pivoted thereto as at 38 and is pivotallyI connected to an adjustable link 39 as at 40. The free end of the arm .37 carries a block 41 mounted to rock on a pintle 42 and provided with' a bevelled finger 43 working in the spiral grooves 36.' The lower end of the link 39 is pivoted lto a flat plate 44 as at 45 and the fiat plate 44 is pivoted to a fixed support 46 las at 47. The fixed support is carried.

by a transverse shaft 48 to which one "end of a brake band 49 is fixed. The brake `-band 49 extends around a'brakc drum 50, of 'suitable construction, and has its free end operatively connected to the plate 44 as at 51. The operation of the construction so far 4described is such that upon rotation` of the disc 35 the finger 43 Working in the spiral grooves by following the grooves away from the center lof the disc, actuates the arm 37 because when the cables are taut brake drum 50. In rotating in the opposite to tighten thel brake band: 49 around the direction 'the finger Working in the spiral grooves moves' away fronithe .peripheral edge of the disc and actuates the arm 37 to loosen the brake band and pei-init free movement of the-brake drum.

The brake drum is mounted `on a hub 52 forming an integral part ofthe drum'.2 8

and is free to idle on-the huh. Between'` the brake drum andfthe cable lium 28 is af.; ratchet 53 for 4engagement with spring conf trolled pawls 54 and vforms an integral part of the brake drum as best shown in Fig. 2. The springs of the pawls 54 are indicated at 55 and the pawls are.. carried on studs 56 carried by the cable drum 28.

llVhen the cable drums 27 and -28 rotate 1n a directionto permitpayingout. of thc'v reserve cables the pawls are 1n engagement with the ratchet and rotate the brake drunr and at the same time the disc 35 rotates and due to the operation of the arm 37 the brake band is gradually tightened around the' brake drum. When the cable drums 27 and 28 rotate in the opposite direction the brake drum idles on the huh 52,' and due to the does away with the necessityv of employing hand operating Vmeans, for releasing the rake mechanism. The recoil of the reserve cables is brought about through the medium ofthe counter weight herein referred to and which by reason of the fact that the counter weight is connected to the drum 27 b v cable 33, the cable is coiled around the drum when ilo thel reserve 'cables are paid out at the tinu` y the barrier is struck. And after removal of theobject striking the barrier the drum 27 is rotated by the counter weight, and the drums 27 and 2.8 being operatively connected together are at the same time rotated and the reserve cable recoiled. thereon.

In connection with the spacer box in 'order to lessen friction when the spacer box moves up and down .within the column,y I mount at the upper end and lower end of the box,

carried on shafts 57 which are under the influence of springs v58"ar1d provided with transverse slots 59 Vthrough vwhich bolts 60. carried by ears 6l pass, the carsl toxn an integral part of brackets 62. The outer faces of the brackets have recessed portions indicated at .63 for the reception ofthe leaf vrollers indicated at ,56. These rollers are portions 64 of the spring members 58. Each of the spring 1nembers-58include two leaf springs indicated at 63 and 64 having curved portions 65 abutting together as at 66 and ixed in such'position by a rivct 67. The cater ends of the leatportions (54 abut the adjacent shaft 57 which is preferably rectangular' in shape. By this arrangement the shaft is permitted to move toward the Spacer box and is forced outwardly therefrom against the adjacent inner surfaces of the column by the spring members; The primary object of the adjustabilityv ot' the rollers is to provide acushioing means for the spacer box when an impact is transmitted thereto through the barrier when strnck by a vehicle. l/Vhen this action takes place the spacer box by the provision ot' the springs is stopped from suddenly striking against the adjacent walls of the column. The rollers permit easy movement of the box when raised or lowered within the compertinent, and the advantage of such arrangment can be appreciated when it is taken into consideration the degree of durability of a device of the character herein described.

Along the inner surfaces of the wall portion 19 adjacent the opening 20 on one side thereof l arrange a friction pad indicated at 68 and formed ot suitable material, thepad extends from the bottom of the column to about a distance of six feet more or less thereabove. This arrangement is such that when the barrier 16 is struck by avehicle the spacer boxfcomes into contact with the pad and when such action takes place yupward movement of the spacer box is opposed.

ln connection with each of the leaders indicated at 26 which is provided with a hub portion indicated at 26- litting into an enlarged opening 28', I have found by experience that the reserve cables when paid out of the spacer box wear down the curved surface indicated at 69 and opening 25 and when the reserve cables are retarded the opening 25 is not in alignment with the groove of the cable drum on which the cable is wound and causes the cable to slip over the edges of the drum. To overcome this, I prefer to mount each of the leaders in such a manner that the same can be adjusted and this is accomplished by providing elongated slots indicated at 70 through which bolts 7l pass, the bolts 71 being screw threaded in the adjacent wall of the spacer box. By loosening the bolts 71 the leader can be shitted either to the right or lett as the case may require.

As indicated in Fig. 1. an opening 72 is formed in the wall 73 of the spacer box. This provision permits access to the interior .of the box for purposes of adjusting the adjustable link 39.

By reference to the foregoing description itis apparent that I accomplish many advantages over the constructions-of similar devices that are now commercially in use and I also provide an arrangement and construction of parts which will withstand the rough usage expected of a device otthis character and the parts can be manufactured at an economical cost. l

lVhile l have illustrated and described the preferred forni of construction i'or carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modiication without. departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to thc precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modiications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: l

l. A Adevice of the class described coinprising a spacer box; coils of reserve 1nem' bers within the box; an impact receiving member connected with said reserve mem-v bers, sai-d reserve members being adapted to be paid out otb the box by movement of the impact receiving member; a brake drum operatively connected with said reserve members, a band for said drum; and automatic means for applying said band to said drum as the reserve members pay out and releasing said band from said drum as said impact receiving member returns to position.

2. A device oi the class described comprising a spacer box; coils of reserve members within said box; an. impact receiving member operatively connected with said reserve members, said reserve members being adapted to be paid out ont the box'by movement of the impact receiving member; a brake drum operatively connected with said reserve members; a brake band for said drum; means for recoiling the reserve mem bers; and automatic means for applying said brake band as the reserve members payout and releasing said brake band as the reserve members are recoiled.

3. A deviceof the class described comprising a spacer box; winding drums in said box; reserve members woundon said drums; an impact receiving member connecte-d with said reserve members, said reserve men'ibers `being adapted to be paid out by movement of:

the impact member; means for recoilingthe Y 4Q A device of the class described com-` prising a spacer box; winding drums in said box; reserve members coiled on said drums;

an impact receiving member operatively con- 'operatively connected with said rake band.

5. A device et' the class described comprising a spacer box; drums arranged in the box and operatively connected together; coils of reserve members on said drums;

. a'rewinding member coiled on said drums andconnected with a rewinding weight; an impact receiving member operatively connected with said reserve members; a member having spiral grooves in its face and operatively connected with one of said drums; a brake band; and an arm operable by said grooves and operatively connected with said brake band.

6. A device of the class described comprising a spacer box having ceiling drums arranged therein and operatively connected together; reserve members coiled on said drums; an impact receiving member connected with said reserve members; a recoiling member coiled en one of said drums; a countervveight operatively connected with said recoiliiig member; a `brake drum on the hub of said ceiling drums; a brake band lfor said brake drum; and means operable by the rotation of said ceiling drums for operating said brake band.

7. A device of the class described comprising a spacer box having ceiling drums arranged therein and operatively connected together; reserve members coiled on said drums; an impact receiving member con` nected with said reserve members; a recoiling member coiled on one of said drums; a counterweight operatively connected with said recoiling member; a brake drum on the hub of one of said ceiling drums; a brake band for said brake drum; a member having grooves formed therein and operatively cennected with one of said ceiling drums; and an arm operable by said grooves and operatively connected withsaid brake band.

8. A device of the class described comprising a spacer boX having ceiling drums arranged therein and operatively connected together; reserve members coiled on said drums; an impact receiving member connected with said reserve members; a recoiling member coiled on one of said drums; a countervveight operatively connected `with said receiling member; a brake drum on the hub of one of said ceiling drums; a brake band for said brake drum; a member operatively connected with one of said drums and having spiral grooves in its face; and a brake arm operable by said grooves and operatively connected with vsaid brake band.

9. A device of the class described comprising a spacer box; windingdrums in the box and operatively connected together; a brake drum having a pawl and ratchet connection with onev of said Winding drums; a brake band for said brake drum; and automatic means controlledby said winding drums for o erating said brake band. Y

10. A yie dingbarrier comprising a hollow column; a carriage mounted for movel ment in the column; an impact receiving member mounted on said carriage; a r'iction pad for engagement with said'carriage when moved toward a wall of the column; and rollers on said carriage and operating on said column.

11. A yielding barrier including a hollow column; a carriage operating in said column; an impact receiving member carried by said carriage; and spring rollers on said carriage operating on a wall of the column and permitting movement et the carriage toward the column under strain.

12. A yielding barrier including a hollow column; a carriage operating in sald column; an impact receiving member carried by said carriage; a friction pad in said column arranged to engage said carriage when moved toward a wall of the column; and spring held rollers on said carriage operatin on said wall' of the column and arrange tc permit contact with said friction pad under impact.

13. A yieldable barrier including a hellovi column, an impact lreceiving member, 2

4spacer box arranged for Amovement `withir the column and having openings Atherein drums arranged'in said spacer box and operatively connected together; adjustable leader: mounted in said openings, and reserve mem bers coiled on said drums, passing througl said leaders and operatively connected` t( the impact receiving member, said reserv members being adapted to be paid ou` through said leaders upon movement of thi .impact receiving member. o

14.' A yielding barrier comprising cel umns at opposite sides of the roadway; car riers arranged to move vertically in saii columns; drums on said carriers; ilexibl reserve members coiled on said drums; a1 impact receivin member extending acres the roadway any operatively connected witl. said reserve members; anda brake resistin; unwinding of said drums. 1

`15. A yielding barrier comprising ce] umns at opposite sides ofthe roadway; cai riers arranged `to move vertically in sai columns; drums on said` carriers; exibl reserve members coiled Ion said drums; a mpactreceiving member extending acres the roadway and operatively connected wit receiving wa connected with said reserve members; an automatic means for returning the barrien` to initial position after movement along the roadway by impact of a vehicle.

In testimony whereof I have slgned my 15 name to this specication.

EMERSON D. sama;

member extending across the roadl0 

